With so many bird species visiting our gardens and a variety of feeders and food options available, it can be tricky for beginners to know what’s best. A common question among bird enthusiasts is: should you offer seed or suet? Which do birds prefer, and what types of birds does each attract?
Bird Seeds
Most of us tend to buy a general bird seed mix to fill our feeders with. But what is actually in them? General bird seed mixes will be made from a combination of the following.
Black Oil Sunflower seeds
This is a popular choice for many householders as it is relatively inexpensive. The birds love it too as it is high in fat and easy to digest. Mixes with black oil sunflower seeds will attract a wide range of species.
Striped Sunflower seeds
These are similar to black oil sunflower seeds, but with a thicker shell, and, like the name suggests, striped. These sunflower seeds are great for birds with a high level of fat and protein.
Safflower seeds
This seed is a favorite of cardinals and other larger birds. It is also less attractive to squirrels, which can be a problem with other types of seed. They are full of fat, protein, and carbohydrates and so provide good all round nutrients for wild birds.
Nyjer seeds
This tiny black seed is a favorite of finches, such as goldfinches and redpolls. It is also relatively expensive. Nyjer seeds have a high oil content, typically around 35-40%. This makes them an excellent source of energy for birds, especially during cold weather when they need to maintain their body temperature.
White proso millet
This seed is a favorite of ground-feeding birds, such as sparrows and doves. It is also relatively inexpensive. Unlike the other hulled seeds, this millet is low in fat but is an excellent source of minerals and protein.
Red millet
Similar to white millet, but less preferred by most birds. Often used as a filler in cheaper mixes. It does provide reasonable levels of protein and carbohydrates.
Cracked corn
This is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber for birds, but it can also attract unwanted pests, such as squirrels and raccoons.
Peanuts
A high-protein and high-fat food source that attracts larger birds like jays and woodpeckers.
Nutritional content of seed mixes
A good seed mix has some key nutrients:
- Protein: Essential for building and repairing tissues, feather growth, and egg production. Good mixes will have a decent amount, as birds need it for energy and overall health. Sources include sunflower seeds, peanuts, and some grains.
- Fat: A crucial energy source, especially for cold climates and migration. Also helps with absorbing certain vitamins. Sunflower seeds, nyjer, and peanuts are high in fat.
- Carbohydrates: Provide quick energy. Grains like millet and cracked corn are good sources.
- Fiber: Aids digestion. Found in seeds and grains.
Micronutrients (important in smaller amounts):
- Vitamins: Various vitamins are needed for different functions (e.g., Vitamin A for vision, Vitamin E for reproduction). Seeds and grains contain some, but a truly balanced diet might require birds to find other sources in the wild.
- Minerals: Calcium is vital for bones and eggshells; phosphorus, potassium, and others play roles in various bodily functions. Seeds and grains contain some, but again, a complete diet might need more.
What to look for in a good mix
A good mix of bird seed purchased off the shelf should have a high amount of sunflower seeds as these are not only full of essential nutrients but also, the birds love them. A variety of other seeds is also necessary to ensure a broader range of nutrients and so that the mix appeals to different bird species.
Check the bird seed doesn’t have additional fillers. Avoid mixes heavy on things like red millet or wheat, which have less nutritional value. It goes without saying that any mix should not have added salt or artificial ingredients: These can be harmful to birds.
Which birds are attracted to what mix?
Some bird species are avid consumers of certain seeds. Cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, finches, sparrows, jays, and woodpeckers are all lovers of sunflower seeds. Doves, sparrows, and juncos enjoy millet and smaller finches will feast on Njyer seeds as their hulls are easier to crack.
A good quality mixture of ingredients will attract the widest variety of birds to backyard feeders. Putting the mix on a platform is the easiest way to deliver these treats to the birds. If you are concerned about waste and spoilage, a hopper is a great alternative. In both cases, the feeders should be cleaned every time they are refilled to avoid the possible spread of disease and unsightly mess around the bases of the feeders.
While birds need extra feeding support during the colder, winter months, it is commonplace to use feeders all year round now. This can be helpful to birds during breeding times and migration events. However, feeders should only be used to supplement a bird’s diet to avoid them becoming reliant and losing their foraging skills.
Suet
Traditionally, suet is made from the fat surrounding the vital organs of sheep and cows. Nowadays, animal fats in the shape of lard can be used. It is a fantastic food source for birds, offering a concentrated punch of energy and nutrients. Suet is also soft and doesn’t require birds to crack open shells or hulls, making it easy to digest and get the nutrients they need, especially if it is combined with other ingredients.
How to give suet to birds
Suet for birds comes in lots of different ways. Most often it is in balls or cakes and sits inside a special cage which allows the birds to peck at it. It used to be that it was a winter food, given to help birds fight the cold but nowadays, people give suet all year round. You can now even buy a no-melt suet that is suitable for use in warmer temperatures.
The really big plus about suet balls/cakes is that you can make them yourself and tailor them to the needs of your local birds. All you need is a bar of lard and some additional ingredients. Use a bowl or container as a mold, melt the lard, and pour it in. You can add any kind of other ingredients, from sunflower seeds to nuts, and then just insert a rope to hang it with. Once the lard is set in the refrigerator, it is good to go. Creating your own suet balls also means you don’t need to have a special cage to put them in.
High Energy
The fat in suet balls/cakes is a very efficient source of calories. This is especially important for birds because it:
- Keeps them warm: Birds have high metabolisms and need lots of energy to maintain their body temperature, especially in cold weather.
- Fuels activity: Flying, foraging, and other activities require a lot of energy. Suet provides a quick and readily available fuel source.
- Helps with migration: Birds preparing for long migrations need to build up fat reserves for the journey.
Besides fat, suet can also contain other beneficial ingredients, such as protein which is important for building and repairing tissues, feather growth, and egg production. Vitamins and minerals found in suet blocks contribute to overall health and various bodily functions.
Birds attracted to a suet ball/cake
Birds love suet and it attracts a variety of species. These include woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, wrens and bluebirds. It is a great way to attract the more shy birds to your backyard. Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers may well find their way to them in time. Some warbler species, like Yellow-rumped Warblers, may visit suet feeders, especially during the winter when insects are scarce.
So, Suet or Seed?
Both bird seed mix and suet have their own unique benefits and attract different types of birds. It’s not necessarily a matter of which is “better,” but rather which one is more suitable for your specific goals and the birds you want to attract.
Bird seed mix attracts a wide variety of birds and provides a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and some fats. It is relatively inexpensive and readily available. However, it can be messy, as birds will discard the shells and it may attract unwanted guests like squirrels and rodents.
Suet is high in fat, providing a concentrated source of energy, especially important in cold weather. Balls or cakes will attract insect-eating birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. However, it can be more expensive than seed mixes and may not attract as wide a variety of common birds as seed mixes.
- If you want to attract a wide variety of birds and provide a good all-around food source, bird seed mix is a great choice.
- If you want to attract insect-eating birds and provide a high-energy food source, especially in cold weather, suet is a good option.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to consider your own preferences, the types of birds you want to attract, and the climate in your area. You can even experiment with both types of food to see which one is more popular with the birds in your backyard! You can also try mixing in your bird seed with a suet mix and possibly get the best of both worlds. It is also important to take into account the time of year as that changes the dietary needs of wild birds. While watching birds feeding in your garden undoubtedly brings joy, their needs must be paramount.
